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Schweini happy as Bayern knock Werder out

MUNICH (AFP) - Bastian Schweinsteiger has said German Cup holders Bayern Munich are delighted to be safely into the third round after they came from beind to inflict a 2-1 defeat on rivals Werder Bremen.

In a re-match of last season's German Cup final, Schweinsteiger scored the winner in the 75th-minute at Munich's Allianz Arena on Tuesday and the Germany star said his side were delighted to come trhough the second-round tie.

Ex-Bayern striker Claudio Pizarro put Bremen ahead with an early goal before Schweinsteiger equalised after veteran French defender Mickael Silvestre failed to move out with the rest of his defenders and put him onside.

Werder dominated the second-half but Pizarro had a header cleared off the line and Marko Arnautovic's freekick hit the post.

Schweinsteiger then netted the winner with a superb shot from 20 metres to give Bayern a welcome boost as their poor early season league form sees them 12 points behind surprise leaders Mainz.

"We?re just pleased we?ve made the next round against extremely good opponents," said Schweinsteiger.

"We didn?t play well in the period just after half-time, Bremen could certainly have scored a second, and we have to point the finger at ourselves for that.

"But I think we had some good chances too, and we were the better team in the first half.

"We?ve won, we?re through to the next round, and that?s what matters."

Coach Louis van Gaal said the win was a welcome relief especially as Bayern were missing a host of stars including striker Miroslav Klose, wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, as well as defender Daniel van Buyten.

"I think it?s fantastic. We have so many injured players, it?s basically incredible," said the delighted Dutchman.

Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf lamented his side's missed opportunities and said his side had wasted their chances.

"We?ve been the architects of our own downfall," he said glumly.

"We had five huge chances in the second half, five chances which had to go in.

"And after missing them and failing to put ourselves in the box seat, it was always going to be difficult to win the game. It's a game we never should have lost.